Legrad's €1 Homes Come with a 15-Year Residency Commitment to Revive the Village

An Unprecedented Opportunity in Legrad

According to УНІАН — Туризм: The Croatian village of Legrad is offering an extraordinary chance to purchase houses or land for just one euro (approximately 50 hryvnias). Launched in 2018, this initiative aims to attract young families and reverse decades of population decline. Buyers are required to live in Legrad for at least 15 years as part of the agreement.

Located on the Hungarian border within the Koprivnica-Križevci County, Legrad’s population dropped from nearly 6,000 after World War II to under 2,000 residents by the 2021 census. By 2024, the village has experienced a nearly 70% decrease in inhabitants. To counter this trend, the community offers substantial support including financial aid for construction and exemption from utility fees to participants in the program.

Eligibility Criteria and Incentives for Participants

Applicants must meet several conditions:

• One spouse or applicant must be under 45 years old;
• Families with children can have applicants up to 55 years old;
• No ownership of other residential property;
• Permanent residency registration in Legrad is required-three years for existing homes and five years for new builds;
• Children must attend local kindergarten and schools.

The village helps cover up to 90% of building permit costs and provides €4,000 towards construction materials and labor. Mayor Ivan Sabolich highlighted,

“Since 2018, about 65 families have received housing assistance, with around 60 relocating to Legrad or its six surrounding villages.”

According to a March 2024 report by N1, 11 properties were sold in Legrad, while Croatian media reported 13 sales in December, and international sources noted 10 sales in October. New residents include a Ukrainian family and families from Chile and Mexico with Croatian roots. Citizens of the European Union enjoy the same rights as Croatians in purchasing real estate, without needing ministry approval-except for agricultural land.

Legrad hopes this "€1 homes" program will breathe new life into the village amid its demographic challenges.

This initiative exemplifies local government efforts to tackle population decline and foster a welcoming environment for young families seeking fresh opportunities. Bringing in new residents not only aims to stabilize demographic trends but also to stimulate the local economy through infrastructure and social service development.